“Thank you for your service,” she said. “My brother’s in the Navy. I know it’s not easy.” Jacob offered a faint nod, his throat tightening. “Thanks,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He didn’t know what else to say.
Gratitude for his service always felt complicated—it was something he accepted but rarely helpful. When the total flashed on the screen, Jacob’s stomach dropped. $39.72. He swallowed hard, pulling out his wallet and sifting through to find his debit card. He had exactly $30.24.